All Autograph Team: Vol. 4 (Hockey, Hockey, Hockey)

This post was originally scheduled to be my Oakland Athletics 50th Anniversary All Autograph Team, but now that San Jose Sharks have been eliminated from the playoffs, I have decided to go ahead and feature my All Autograph Hockey Team instead.

I'll actually be cover two teams within this post:  all-time greats and my favorite San Jose Sharks.  But before I begin, here are the guidelines I've set for myself:

#1:  All autographs will be on-card.
#2:  All autographs will either be pack-pulled or PSA/DNA certified.
#3:  Roster will consist of a left wing, a center, a right wing, two defensemen, a goalie, and seven reserves.

As with the tradition of my other All Autograph Teams, these cards are based on autographs I currently have in my collection.  I used internet rankings to help decide my All-Time Greats, while the San Jose Sharks consisted more of personal favorites.

Enough writing, let's check out my teams...


ATG Starting Left Wing:  Gordie Howe 

2000 Upper Deck Hawaii Autograph #GH

Howe is listed as a right winger, but since he's ambidextrous I figured he'd be able to make the transition to left wing.


Sharks Starting Left Wing:  Jeff Friesen

1998-99 ITG BAP Autograph #267

There was a time when Jeff Friesen was my favorite San Jose Shark.  Guys like Devin Setoguchi and Patrick Marleau have since supplanted him, but he'll always have a special place in my collection.


ATG Starting Left Wing:  Wayne Gretzky

1996-97 SPx Tribute Auto #GS1

He's not called The Great One for nothing.


Sharks Starting Center:  Patrick Marleau

1996-97 Upper Deck #384

Marleau spent his first nineteen seasons in San Jose and is hands down my all-time favorite Shark.


ATG Starting Right Wing:  Mario Lemieux

1996-97 Donruss Canadian Ice Lemieux Scrapbook Autograph #NNO

Couldn't think of a better way to complete the top line than with Super Mario.  Can you imagine facing off against Gretzky, Lemieux, and Howe during their prime?


Sharks Starting Right Wing:  Devin Setoguchi

2007-08 OPC Premier Silver Spectrum #117

Setoguchi is one of only a handful of NHL players who are part Japanese... and the only guy to suit up for the Sharks.  When it comes to choosing favorites, he's right under Patty.


ATG Starting Defensemen #1:  Bobby Orr

2014-15 UD Trilogy Signature Pucks #SP-BO

I never watched him play, but I've read enough to know he's regarded as the greatest defenseman in NHL history. 


Sharks Starting Defenseman #1:  Marc-Edouard Vlasic

2006-07 SP Authentic #202

Pickles is definitely a fan favorite here in San Jose.  He's consistently been one of their best defensemen for the past decade and hopefully he'll continue to anchor the top defensive pairing here until he decides to hang up his skates.


ATG Starting Defenseman #2:  Ray Bourque

1990-00 UD Century Legends Epic Signatures #RB

Some lists have Doug Harvey ranked as the second best defenseman.  Others have Bourque.  I don't own Harvey's signature, so the debate is over.


Sharks Starting Defenseman #2:  Brad Stuart

2000-01 Topps Stars Autograph #A-BSt

Kenny's Blog Bat Around has been a blessing in disguise.  Sure it's given me the opportunity to share some cool signatures with my readers.  But it's also pointed out some serious gaps in my collection.

Brad Stuart was a solid defenseman for the Sharks and was one of the players traded away to acquire Joe Thornton.  But he's only sitting here as my #2 defenseman, because I don't have signed cards of Douglas Murray or Brent Burns.


ATG Starting Goalie:  Dominik Hasek

1998-99 Topps Autographs #A8

I looked at several goalie rankings and Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, and Dominik Hasek popped up in the top 5 on almost every list.

Ultimately, I chose Hasek to be my starter because he won the Vezina Trophy six times in an eight year stretch and has the highest save percentage in NHL history.


Sharks Starting Goalie:  Evgeni Nabokov

2005-06 Ultimate Collection Signatures #US-NA

There are mixed feelings about Nabby among Sharks fans.  Some say he was one of the reasons the Sharks could never get over the hump.  I personally feel that he was one of the key reasons the Sharks made the playoffs 9 out of the 10 years he was with the team.

ATG Reserves:  Maurice Richard, Sidney Crosby, Jaromir Jagr, Niklas Lidstrom, Paul Coffey, Patrick Roy, and Martin Brodeur

1997-98 Pinnacle Beehive Autographs #61

2007-08 UD Sweet Shot Signature Shots Puck Signings #SSP-SC

1999-00 Stadium Club Lone Star Signatures #LS1

2007-08 UD Sweet Shot Ice Signings #SSR-NL

1997-98 Pinnacle BAP Autograph #12

1995-96 Upper Deck BAP #S197

2002-03 Upper Deck Game Jersey Auto #MB

Sharks Reserves:  Logan Couture, Owen Nolan, Jeff Odgers, Joe Pavelski, Mike Ricci, Joe Thornton, and Arturs Irbe

2012-13 Panini Limited Monikers #M-LC

2012-13 Panini Classics Signatures #113

2013-14 ITG Decades Autograph #A-JO

2015-16 UD Trilogy Signature Pucks #SP-JP

 1998-99 ITG BAP Autograph #270

2011-12 Limited Team Trademarks Autograph #6

2013-14 Ultimate Collection Signatures #US-AI

Well that wraps up possibly the final hockey post you'll see on this blog until October.

Congratulations Las Vegas Knights' fans!  And thanks again to Kenny over at Torren' Up Cards for inspiring this Blog Bat... I mean Skate Around.

Here is today's contest question of the day...

Do you have a favorite all-time favorite hockey player?  Favorite hockey team?

Happy Tuesday and sayonara!

Fact vs. Fiction: GSNHOF Card Edition

Fact:  Tim over at The Great Sports Name Hall of Fame sent me a nice package of cards that contain some very low serial numbers, several autographs, and a beautiful patch for my Padres collection.

Fiction:  I hate patch cards.

Fact:  Tony Gwynn and Dave Winfield are the only guys who have played more games in right field for the San Diego Padres in franchise history.

Fact:  Brian Giles is in the top ten of almost every offensive statistical category for my beloved Padres.

Fiction:  Casey Kelly is the next Jake Peavy.

Fact:  Kelly was once a top ranked prospect, but he's been working his way back from Tommy John surgery for over a year now.

Fiction:  Arena football is dead.

Fact:  The San Jose Sabercats are 4-0 and the cow bells are ringing.

Fact:  There aren't a lot of them floating around, but I have a small collection of Sabercats memorabilia cards and autographs.

Fiction:  I stopped collecting Devin Setoguchi when he was traded to Minnesota in 2011.

Fact:  Although I don't go out of my way to purchase Seto... I still enjoy adding cards of him to my collection every now and then.

Fiction:  I'm a huge NBA fan.

Fact:  I don't really watch basketball anymore, but I definitely happy for the Golden State Warriors and their fans.

Fact:  I totally appreciate this awesome care package from Tim.

Fact:  I'll be scraping some singles for your cool, interesting, and unique PC's.

Happy Sunday and sayonara!

The Not An Oxymoron Collection

Hi.  My name is Fuji and I'm a human being... which means I make mistakes.  Last night I misused the term "oxymoron", so right now I'm attempting to right my wrong in the least amount of time.  Okay... there's nothing to it, but to do it.

Back in the early to mid 90's, I was introduced to serial numbered cards and immediately developed a fascination with cards depicting unique serial numbers.  

Two decades later, I'm tracking down the first serial numbered card in a run (example: 001/399), as well as cards that are serial numbered with the player's jersey number.

So far I've managed to obtain the following:

2013 Five Star Rainbow Autograph #AG

This card actually killed two birds with one stone, since I also happen to collect autographs from 2013 Five Star as well.

2011 Certified Fabric of the Game Prime #59

I picked up this card earlier in the month at the GTSM Card Show for $3.  Like the Gonzalez, this particular card fits into two PC's since Bartkowski is a former Cal Bear.

2014 Topps Tribute Green #40 and 74

Last year a friend of mine broke a case of 2014 Topps Tribute and 2014 Topps Museum Collection.  He kept all of the hits and a few of the big name base cards, but sold me the rest of the base cards and numbered parallels for $20.  These two cards were part of that purchase.

2007-08 OPC Premier Silver Spectrum #117

I purchased this card a few years ago when Setoguchi was still considered a future star and probably paid way too much.  Regardless... this is still one of my favorite cards in my San Jose Sharks collection.

I also discovered a few more sitting in my insert binders...

2006 Playoff Prestige Prestigious Pros #PP35

2005 UD Hall of Fame Green #53

2004 Playoff Honors Game Day #GS7

2002 Topps Tribute Lasting Impressions #82

I'm pretty sure I have a few more of these floating around my collection, but for now... that's the Number 1's I have to share.

As for serial numbered cards with the player's jersey number... I know I have a Jerry Rice insert sitting somewhere at my parent's house.  And two weeks ago, I found this A-Rod to keep it company:

2003 UD Ultimate Collection Jersey #AR

Rodriguez currently wears #13 on his jersey, but during his years with Texas and Seattle, he wore #3.  Jersey Coast Collectibles had this on sale for $1.50, so I pulled the trigger and grabbed it.

I also managed to dig this card up as well...

2002 Elite Passing the Torch #PT17

Maybe I'll start collecting "final" serial numbered cards too.  I guess it just depends if I can find them at the right price.  So far I've manage to add these to my collection without paying too much of a premium.  In other words, I refuse to fall for those silly eBay One of One listings.

Happy Thursday sayonara!